Chuckman
Senior Member
I am fully aware of what it does; also fully aware that 50% of the literature shows that it has no or limited benefit. But if you are in the 50% that can get something out of it, good on ya.
Let's drop the weight challenge
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I am fully aware of what it does; also fully aware that 50% of the literature shows that it has no or limited benefit. But if you are in the 50% that can get something out of it, good on ya.
OP
It does seem to work for me (though it may be more mental). Muscles don't fatigue as quickly, allowing me to up the intensity or volume, muscles don't ache after an intense workout, muscles seem to grow quicker, I get stronger quicker, etc. My buddy doesn't use it because it doesn't seem to have an effect on him but he is also 12 yrs younger and in better shape.
January of 2017 I weighed in at 240. Since then I've dropped down to 202. My goal is 190 where I was in 2014. Right now I walk at least 5 miles everyday. Today I did 6. The biggest problem I have is when I hit the wall like I'm at now. My diet is great with no junk food but I'm been stuck at 200-202 for the last month. 
Got back from a week long work conference where I had zero time to do any sort of actual exercise and felt like crap. So I figured I needed to make a change. I already workout about as much as I can/am interested in, but my eating habits are horrible. Way too much snacking, especially bad snacks (granola bars, candy, pretzels, etc, etc).
I've done the following:
- snacks are now carrots, snap peas, etc but really trying to not even do that
- less sugar in my coffee
- cut out most alcohol (have had 3 beers in the last 6 weeks)
- watch portions at every meal, especially when eating out
What I've not done:
- completely eliminated anything (still have pizza, fried chicken, ice cream, etc on occasion)
- starved
- stopped restaurant meals (I take customers out to lunch frequently, it's part of the job)
In the 6 weeks since starting, I've lost 7 pounds. Now sitting at 165, hoping to continue down to 160. I realize it's not much, but if I can approach food and snacking with a healthier attitude, and lose 1 pound a week, that's pretty much a win in my book. By the time fall rolls around, my goals should be achieved.
The hardest part is ignoring the nay-sayers. When people figure out I'm changing how I eat, they all have an excuse as to why I shouldn't be doing it. Haven't figured that one out.
I've done the following:
- snacks are now carrots, snap peas, etc but really trying to not even do that
- less sugar in my coffee
- cut out most alcohol (have had 3 beers in the last 6 weeks)
- watch portions at every meal, especially when eating out
What I've not done:
- completely eliminated anything (still have pizza, fried chicken, ice cream, etc on occasion)
- starved
- stopped restaurant meals (I take customers out to lunch frequently, it's part of the job)
In the 6 weeks since starting, I've lost 7 pounds. Now sitting at 165, hoping to continue down to 160. I realize it's not much, but if I can approach food and snacking with a healthier attitude, and lose 1 pound a week, that's pretty much a win in my book. By the time fall rolls around, my goals should be achieved.
The hardest part is ignoring the nay-sayers. When people figure out I'm changing how I eat, they all have an excuse as to why I shouldn't be doing it. Haven't figured that one out.
Hit a stall, 198.0, only 0.2 lost this week. Going to start lifting and stuff again tomorrow.
People just can't seem to stop themselves. I tell people I don't eat donuts. Their instinct is to immediately try to get me to eat a donut. They want to make themselves feel better about their poor choices.
Just yesterday I told the wife I was waking up early today to get an extra workout in at the gym before work because I knew I had a customer lunch today, and within seconds she said "you don't need to workout extra..." I had to cut her off and point out how she was crapping on my choices.
It must be human nature to vocalize what we don't want when other people are doing it.
As to doughnuts, yea, you're not missing a thing. I used to love them, but after years of not eating them when you actually have one they taste like sh*t. Heavy, greasy nasty little things. (I fully expect someone to say "no, you just have to try XYZ brand, they're not like that!"). Might as well say .40 is the best caliber in the middle of a glock vs. 1911 fight, no one is listening anyway.
40 is a bad compromise to 10mm
I would love to eat donuts. I miss fresh hot Krispy Kreme and loaded Dunkin Donuts. What I don't miss is being fat.
Moderation and cheat days are a nice thing. Although I don't take advantage of them all the time. I don't spend my time "not" eating something. But I don't eat it all the time. And I'll usually buckle down the next day so it does not all come roaring back. Then again, I'm not in the loosing weight mindset at this point. The maintenance phase is kind of nice.
When I was loosing, I was a nerd about what I was eating though. Never thought I would pay that much attention to what I was eating.
I've cut out one workout day for a very different reason. I was only getting one rest day not working out. So I've split my week to take 2 days off, a few days apart. And my job is a pretty darn good workout.
I would mention the donut you should try, but in the spirit of being helpful I'll keep them to myself. lol Funny, when you talk to folks that have been successful you get all kinds of encouragement and tips on what to try. Talk to folks that have talked about loosing but never buckled down, it's all excuses and "I can't".
When I was loosing, I was a nerd about what I was eating though. Never thought I would pay that much attention to what I was eating.
I've cut out one workout day for a very different reason. I was only getting one rest day not working out. So I've split my week to take 2 days off, a few days apart. And my job is a pretty darn good workout.
I would mention the donut you should try, but in the spirit of being helpful I'll keep them to myself. lol Funny, when you talk to folks that have been successful you get all kinds of encouragement and tips on what to try. Talk to folks that have talked about loosing but never buckled down, it's all excuses and "I can't".
There isn't much I love more than talking about food. Maybe talking about boats. I can handle talking about donuts, I just don't eat them.
I may be too late. Krispy Kreme Ghirardelli chocolate, sea salt, and caramel. Limited time run. May not have them any more. The one in mint was good too.
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Wait, wait wait.... a mint doughnut? I retract my previous statement about doughnuts.
I bought one for my wife. I think I gained weight just going into KK
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Sitting on the steps waiting for the gym to open at 0430. This is what it takes sometimes.
Ive read about lifting in the AM, the metabolic fat burn you get all day, add in some cardio and yoga at night and you're really putting the burn in.
Supposedly it's not the best for optimum gym performance; that's apparently around 8 hours after waking. But it's such a great stress reliever than I'm not ready to change anything yet.
Well, I'm not doing 4:30 am. Heck, I'll probably be at work at that time at least once this week. But on my workout days I wake up, get a glass of water, put on my headphones, and jump on the bike. Otherwise life gets in the way and I don't get back to it.
OP
I don't particularly like getting up early to work out but a 6am workout is always better than a missed workout, so that is when I hit the gym.
Definitely helps me be ready for the stress of the day and puts me in a great mood (after the workout)
Definitely helps me be ready for the stress of the day and puts me in a great mood (after the workout)
Official "weight check" day today at the gym at work, down another pound to 164! 8 pounds in 7 weeks, staying on track.
196.8
2 more down, 20ish more to go
2 more down, 20ish more to go
Stuck at the same weight for the last two weeks. I think it's because my overall work volume is down a little.
OP
My daughter and I bought a Groupon for 20 classes at the local Crossfit to change things up in preparation for our two Spartan races at the end of this month and the end of Sept. Might switch to kettle bells after that because traditional weight training is getting old
My wife and I really like the kettle bells. If you have never used them, I find it easier to start with a lighter one to get the form right then go to a heavier one. That's easier for me to do, I just grab one of my wife's.
OP
I have not done them but there it looks like Crossfit does a lot with them, so I will find out quickly if I like them or not. Plan is definitely to go light and get the form right as that was how I started in traditional weights and how I taught my oldest. Proper form always beats heavier weight, at least for longevity and avoiding injuries
Was stuck out of town all last week, didn't get much exercise, didn't get proper meals, and didn't get to do a weigh in.
Last few days I've just been starving, can't seem to moderate my food intake properly. I do not like not knowing how I'm progressing, makes it impossible to sort out what my gut is telling my brain.
Last few days I've just been starving, can't seem to moderate my food intake properly. I do not like not knowing how I'm progressing, makes it impossible to sort out what my gut is telling my brain.
Weigh in today, down to 161. That's 11 pounds in 9 weeks, so I was being just a little to aggressive while on the road. Meh.
OP
I was keeping my calories in around 2000/day but started taking CLA and L-Carnitine and that has caused me to need more calories in for some reason. Still keeping up a negative caloric intake but it is now -500 vs the -1000+ I was doing. Stepping on the scale for the first time in 2-3 weeks today should be interesting
I never step on the scales. IDK how much I weigh. But I do know that I lost a ton of water weight on my bicycle ride yesterday. I'll probably lose quite a bit more tonight with a 30 mile ride and a 100 degree heat index.
I messed up last week and went back to 200, back down to 198.
Weighed in today because I know I won't make it to the gym tomorrow due to schedule changes. Just a tiny hair over 160, maybe 160.1. I'll take it for a day early and claim I'm down 12 in 10 weeks.
I wasn't all that over weight before, just thought that dropping 10 pounds would make me look significantly different. I don't think it really shows.
I wasn't all that over weight before, just thought that dropping 10 pounds would make me look significantly different. I don't think it really shows.
I went on vacation for a couple of days last week and didn't get to the gym. I even ate a few french fries, but I'm back where I started again. Really got to get some more gym time in to lose a few more pounds.
Eat tuna, drink coffee, lift weights.
Eat tuna, drink coffee, lift weights.
OP
Well, I may have made a mistake starting CrossFit. It has been great for my cardio but absolutely hell on my left knee. Even wearing my brace, my patella gets inflamed just doing the warm-ups and a new issue has appeared; a nice burning in the muscle on the inside of my knee. Hope I haven't screwed up my knee too bad because I have a Spartan Sprint in Asheville next Sunday
I will say that I have sore muscles that have never been sore before, so that is definitely a plus. Just wish my body wasn't so beat up
I will say that I have sore muscles that have never been sore before, so that is definitely a plus. Just wish my body wasn't so beat up
I am 240 lbs at 5ft 7inches. Sendetary life style. Alcohol with dinner every evening, not much, only about 6 ounces of red wine. I just started this road Saturday last. This is not easy. I admire you guys for your commitment and diligence. Keep up the good work.